This from Larry Shapiro:
An interesting setup on Kaneville FPD Engine 1601 – 2021 E-ONE Cyclone 1500/1000 pumper with the panel on the officer’s side and roof-mounted arrow board for highway incidents.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Tags: #larryshapiro, arrow board on fire engine cab roof, chicagoareafire.com, E-ONE Cyclone pumper, fire engine with pump panel on the curb side, Kaneville Fire Protection District, Kaneville FPD Engine 1601, Larry Shapiro, larryshapiro.tumblr.com, shapirophotography.net
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#1 by MABAS 21 on September 24, 2025 - 7:54 AM
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Lyons had an Oshkosh/Pierce engine in the 70s which had the officer’s side pump panel as well.
#2 by rj on September 23, 2025 - 9:06 AM
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As previously stated here there are numerous examples of mostly 70’s ALFs on Illinoisfiretrucks.com with right side panels. The internet indicates that right side panels were spec’d by departments that covered highways for engineer safety and ALF began offering them as an option. But not unlike snorkels, LDH hose reels, pompier ladders and booster lines they have largely gone by the wayside.
#3 by rj on September 23, 2025 - 8:29 AM
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Agreed, pump panel location seems counter intuitive because you have a 50/50 chance of a fire being on the officer side of the street in the direction of travel. One thing that could possibly help justify placement is most vehicle fires I’ve done are right lane/shoulder as that’s where people try to pull over. The engineer would be shielded and blocking would be in the right direction but still not a reason to redesign a rig in my opinion. Also. if you can tolerate a couple extra feet of rig top mounts offer the best of both worlds.
#4 by Tim on September 23, 2025 - 7:43 AM
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If an officer side pump panel keeps the engineer off the street, what do they do when the fire is on the left side of the street? So that argument doesn’t work. But now what happens when the engineer gets out of the rig, runs around to the officer side pump panel, then remembers he didn’t put the pump in gear? I see zero benefit to this. Just sayin that’s all. If it works for them then that’s all that matters.
#5 by Matt on September 22, 2025 - 8:00 PM
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Many fire apparatus built through the 20’s were right hand drive and features right side pump controls. ALF kept the right side pump panels as standard through the 700 Series offerings. The 800 Series in the late 50’s was the first ALF model where the pump panel flipped to the left side.
Toronto has a large fleet with right side controls in the current era. One common reason why a right side panel is specified is that it puts the pump operator on a curb or parkway and out of the street. Some would say they also get a good view of the fire.
#6 by thefiremang on September 22, 2025 - 6:28 PM
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The reason why they put the pump panel on the officer side was to keep the engineer out of the street so he didnt have to worry of getting hit while pumping in traffic
#7 by ttguy on September 22, 2025 - 2:20 PM
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I believe a portion of their district receives EMS coverage from Big Rock Fire Protection District.
#8 by Tim on September 22, 2025 - 2:19 PM
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Thanks DaveyB. You made me feel young again (after 35 years in the fire service and 20 retired now).
#9 by Tim on September 22, 2025 - 2:11 PM
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I do remember when Blue Island had them on their Lafrances. Still doesn’t make sense.
#10 by Michael m on September 22, 2025 - 10:14 AM
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Who does their EMS?
#11 by DaveyB on September 22, 2025 - 10:06 AM
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Rj, Tim, you guys must be too young to remember when officer side pump panels were common. American LaFrance had a number of rigs around the area (Southern Cook County). Blue Island had 2 trucks and at least 2 engines, and South Holland had an engine with officer side pump panels. Go to illinoisfiretrucks.com and those departments pages have pictures.
#12 by Rj on September 21, 2025 - 1:46 PM
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One of the most unique rigs I’ve seen in a very long time. Really like the fold down arrow board. Anybody from Kaneville on here to explain why Officer side pump panel? I’ve never even heard of one of those.
#13 by Tim on September 21, 2025 - 7:11 AM
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Does the officer pump?
#14 by harry on September 20, 2025 - 3:58 PM
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thats interesting the only time i have seen that is when it is a decaticated blocker truck